Hebius pryeri Japanese name: ガラスヒバァChinese name: 沖繩腹鍊蛇English name: Pryer’s Keelback SnakeOrigin: Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands Pryer’s Keelback Snake primarily feeds on frogs. It is often found near streams, irrigation channels, and rice paddies, and is commonly seen on roads during or after rain, where it scavenges road-killed frogs. Unfortunately, this behavior makes it vulnerable to… Continue reading Pryer’s Keelback Snake
Tag: Kumejima
Ryukyu Green Snake
Cyclophiops semicarinatus Japanese name: リュウキュウアオヘビChinese name: 琉球青蛇English name: Ryukyu Green SnakeOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands, Takarajima and Kodakarajima (Tokara Islands) The Ryukyu Green Snake grows to about 70–80 cm in length. Compared to the bright green coloration of the green snake found in Mainland China and Taiwan (Cyclophiops major), this species usually appears deep green… Continue reading Ryukyu Green Snake
Habu
Protobothrops flavoviridis Japanese Name: ハブChinese Name: 波布、黄綠龜殼花English Name: HabuOrigin: Some islands of the Okinawa Islands and Amami Islands The Habu is undoubtedly one of Japan’s most beautiful and fascinating snakes, yet it is also one of the most venomous and dangerous. It is found on certain islands of the Okinawa and Amami Islands, with its… Continue reading Habu
Ryukyu Stream Treefrog
Buergeria japonica Japanese Name: リュウキュウカジカガエルChinese Name: 日本溪樹蛙、日本樹蛙English Name: Ryukyu Stream TreefrogOrigin: Tokara Islands, Okinawa Islands, Amami Islands The Ryukyu Stream Treefrog is not found in Honshu, Japan, but is distributed across the Ryukyu Islands, south of Kuchi-no-shima in the Tokara Islands (excluding the Miyako Islands, North Daito Island, and South Daito Island). A 2020 study… Continue reading Ryukyu Stream Treefrog
Okinawa Pitviper
Ovophis okinavensis Japanese Name: ヒメハブChinese Name: 姬波布, 沖繩烙鐵頭English Name: Okinawa Pitviper, HimehabuOrigin: Okinawa Islands (Okinawajima, Iheyajima, Iejima, Kumejima, Tokashikijima), Amami Islands (Amami Oshima, Kakeromajima, Ukejima, Yorojima, Tokunoshima) The Okinawa pitviper is a venomous snake that grows up to 80 cm in length. Its Japanese name, “Himehabu,” includes the word “hime,” meaning “small,” as it is… Continue reading Okinawa Pitviper
Ryukyu Odd-tooth Snake
Lycondon semicarinatum Japanese Name: アカマタChinese Name: 琉球紅斑蛇English Name: Ryukyu Odd-tooth SnakeOrigin: Amami Islands, Okinawa Islands The Ryukyu Odd-tooth Snake is a non-venomous species that can grow up to 170 cm in length. However, juveniles are particularly aggressive. It is one of the most commonly encountered snakes in Yambaru and is sometimes seen on roads feeding… Continue reading Ryukyu Odd-tooth Snake
Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Diploderma polygonatum Japanese Name: キノボリトカゲChinese Name: 琉球龍蜥English Name: Ryukyu Tree LizardOrigin: Nominate subspecies distributed across the Amami Islands and Okinawa Islands; Sakishima subspecies found in the Miyako and Yaeyama Islands; Yonaguni subspecies found on Yonaguni Island. Previously classified under the genus Japalura, which is commonly associated with true tree lizards from South Asia, this genus… Continue reading Ryukyu Tree Lizard
Boettger’s Coral Snake
Sinomicrurus japonicus boettgeri Japanese Name: ハイChinese Name: 沖繩華珊瑚蛇、日本華珊瑚蛇沖繩亞種English Name: Boettger’s Coral SnakeOrigin: Tokunoshima, Okinawa Island, Tokashiki Island, Kumejima The Boettger’s Coral Snake, a subspecies of the Japanese Coral Snake (Sinomicrurus japonicus), belongs to the family Elapidae (cobra family). This small, venomous snake measures about 30–60 cm in length and is rare, making it difficult to… Continue reading Boettger’s Coral Snake
Green Grass Lizard
Takydromus smaragdinus Japanese Name: アオカナヘビChinese Name: 翡翠草蜥English Name: Green Grass LizardOrigin: Tokara Islands (Takarajima and Kodakarajima), Amami Oshima, Kikai Island, Tokunoshima, Okinawa Islands, Kumejima This species is distributed across parts of the Central Ryukyu Islands. Males are green or brown, with a brown stripe along the sides and a yellowish belly, while females are yellow-green,… Continue reading Green Grass Lizard
Ruddy Kingfisher (Ryukyu subspecies)
Halcyon coromanda bangsi Japanese Name: リュウキュウアカショウビンChinese Name: 琉球赤翡翠English Name: Ruddy KingfisherOrigin: Summer migrant to the Ryukyu Islands The Ryukyu Ruddy Kingfisher is a subspecies of the Ruddy Kingfisher (Halcyon coromanda bangsi). During winter, it resides in the Philippines, while in summer, it migrates to the Ryukyu Islands for breeding. Compared to the subspecies that migrates… Continue reading Ruddy Kingfisher (Ryukyu subspecies)